Gas utilities, environmentalists, consumer advocates and others are negotiating the outlines of a study in proposed legislation on how Maine might restrict the build-out of natural gas systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Most participants contacted would not discuss details of the closed-door negotiations.
The scope of the legislation is broad, all but guaranteeing pushback from the industry and its business group allies. The bill proposes to ban gas companies from charging ratepayers to build and expand service mains and lines beginning Feb. 1, 2025, and instead require business and residential customers that benefit from new infrastructure to pay the costs.
It has drawn fierce opposition from the gas industry, businesses, economic development advocates and others who say Maine would be at a disadvantage in attracting businesses, particularly manufacturers, that require access to natural gas infrastructure.
Sen. Mark W. Lawrence, D-York, co-chair of the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, said last month that he expected the measure to be reworked.
Scaling back natural gas build-outs has strong support from environmentalists who are looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Backers of the legislation say that in addition to reducing the use of a fossil fuel, the legislation would require gas users to pay the true cost of natural gas expansion rather than use ratepayer subsidies.
Another part of the legislation calls for a study of gas system expansion, consumer costs and the “implications for gas use” in Maine such as how gas utilities are preparing for a possible loss of customers and declines in gas use due to factors related to climate change. The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee may report out a bill to the Legislature next year, according to the legislation.
As many as 20 representatives of environmental groups, industry, state government, consumer advocates and others met Wednesday, for the second time in a week, according to Public Advocate William Harwood, who is proposing the legislation with several environmental groups.
“We did not reach any consensus or agreement,” he said Thursday.
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